General equilibrium shape equations of polymer chains

The general equilibrium shape equations of polymer chains are analytically derived in this paper. This provides a unified description for many models, such as the well-known wormlike chain (WLC) model, the wormlike rod chain (WLRC) model, carbon nanotubes, and so on. Using the WLC model, we find that the pitch-to-radius ratio of coils, 4.443, agrees with Z-DNA, and the pitch-to-radius ratio from WLRC agrees with the data of B-DNA qualitatively. Using the general shape equations, we discuss a chiral model in which the solutions of straight, helical, and circular biopolymers are given, respectively. We also find that the model suggested by Helfrich [Langmuir 7, 567 (1991)] is very appropriate to describe B-DNA (or other biopolymers) if we choose the four phenomenological parameters as [Formula presented], [Formula presented], [Formula presented], and [Formula presented].